“415. Sentinels must keep themselves on the alert, observing every thing that
takes place within sight and hearing of their post. They will carry their arms
habitually at support, or on either shoulder, but will never quit them. In wet
weather, if there be no sentry-box, they will secure arms.

“416. No sentinel shall quit his post or hold conversation not necessary to the
proper discharge of his duty.

“417. All persons, of whatever rank in the service, are required to observe
respect toward sentinels.

“418. In case of disorder, a sentinel must call out the guard; and if a
fire take place, he must cry—‘Fire!’ adding the number of his post. If
in either case the danger be great, he must discharge his firelock before
calling out.

“419. It is the duty of a sentinel to repeat all calls made from posts more
distant from the main body of the guard than his own, and no sentinel will be
posted so distant as not to be heard by the guard, either directly or through
other sentinels.

“420. Sentinels will present arms to general and field officers, to the officer
of the day, and to the commanding officer of the post. To all other officers
they will carry arms.

“421. When a sentinel in his sentry-box sees an officer approaching, he will
stand at attention, and as the officer passes will salute him, by
bringing the left hand briskly to the musket, as high as the right shoulder.

“422. The sentinel at any post of the guard, when he sees any body of troops, or
an officer entitled to compliment, approach, must call—‘Turn out the guard!’
and announce who approaches.

“423. Guards do not turn out as a matter of compliment after sunset; but
sentinels will, when officers in uniform approach, pay them proper attention, by
facing to the proper front, and standing steady at shouldered arms. This
will be observed until the evening is so far advanced that the sentinels begin
challenging.

“424. After retreat (or the hour appointed by the commanding officer), until
broad daylight, a sentinel challenges every person who approaches him, taking,
at the same time, the position of arms port. He will suffer no person to
come nearer than within reach of his bayonet, until the person has given the
countersign.

“425. A sentinel, in challenging, will call out—’Who comes there?’ If
answered—‘Friend, with the countersign,’
and he be instructed to pass persons with the countersign, he will reply—‘Advance, friend, with the
countersign!’ If answered—‘Friends!’
he will reply—‘Halt,
friends! Advance one with the countersign!’ If answered—‘Relief,’ ‘Patrol,’
or ‘Grand rounds,’ he will reply—‘Halt! Advance, Sergeant (or
Corporal), with the countersign!’ and satisfy himself that the party
is what it represents itself to be. If he have no authority to pass persons
with the countersign, if the wrong countersign be given, or if the persons have
not the countersign, he will cause them to stand, and call—‘Corporal of the
guard!’

“426. In the daytime, when the sentinel before the guard sees the officer of the
day approach, he will call—‘Turn out the guard! Officer of the day.’
The guard will be paraded, and salute with presented arms.

“427. When any person approaches a post of the guard at night, the sentinel
before the post, after challenging, causes him to halt until examined by a
non-commissioned officer of the guard. If it be the officer of the day, or
any other officer entitled to inspect the guard and to make the rounds the
non-commissioned officer will call—‘Turn out the guard!’ when the guard
will be paraded at shouldered arms, and the officer of the guard, if he thinks
necessary, may demand the countersign and parole.

“428. The officer of the day, wishing to make the rounds, will take an escort of
a non-commissioned officer and two men. When the rounds are challenged by
a sentinel, the sergeant will answer—‘Grand rounds!’
and the sentinel will reply—‘Halt, grand rounds! Advance, sergeant, with the countersign.’
Upon which the sergeant advances and gives the countersign. The sentinel
will then cry—‘Advance, rounds.’
and stand at a shoulder till they have passed.

“429. When the sentinel before the guard challenges, and is answered—‘Grand
rounds,’ he will reply—‘Halt, grand rounds! Turn out the guard; grand
rounds!’ Upon which the guard will be drawn up at shouldered arms.
The officer commanding the guard will then order a sergeant and two men to
advance; when within ten paces, the sergeant challenges. The sergeant of
the grand rounds answers—‘Grand rounds!’
The sergeant of the guard replies—‘Advance,
sergeant, with the countersign!’ The sergeant of the rounds advances
alone, gives the countersign, and returns to his round. The sergeant of
the guard calls to his officer—‘The countersign is right!’
on which the officer of the guard calls—‘Advance, rounds!’ The officer of the rounds then
advances alone, the guard standing at shouldered arms. The officer of the
rounds passes along the front of the guard to the officer, who keeps his post on
the right, and gives him the parole. He then examines the guard, orders back
his escort, and, taking a new one, proceeds in the same manner to other guards.

“430. All material instructions given to a sentinel on post by persons entitled
to make grand rounds, ought to be promptly notified to the commander of the
guard.

“431. Any general officer, or the commander of a post or garrison, may visit the
guards of his command, and go the grand rounds, and be received in the same
manner as prescribed for the officer of the day.”

89. Sentinels must be respected under all circumstances, and should not
be held responsible for orders they execute in good faith; and no officers have
authority to interfere with them, except as provided in par. 413, Army
Regulations.

90. Sentinels are often, even in times of peace, placed in trying and
difficult positions. In times of popular excitement, they may be posted for the
protection of persons or property threatened with violence. Under such
circumstances, coolness and firmness are the first requisites. No danger or
circumstances will justify a sentinel in leaving his post without orders.

91. If a sentinel, from any cause, wishes to leave his post, he calls for
the corporal of the guard, who will relieve him, if necessary, by another
sentinel, or take charge of his post until he can return to it. The following
Articles of War show the importance with which a sentinel’s post is invested.

“ART. 45. Any commissioned officer who shall be found drunk on his guard, party,
or other duty, shall be cashiered. Any non-commissioned officer or soldier so
offending shall suffer such corporeal punishment as shall be inflicted by the
sentence of a court-martial.

“ART. 46. Any sentinel who shall be found sleeping upon his post, or shall leave
it before he shall be regularly relieved, shall suffer death, or such other
punishment as shall be inflicted by the sentence of a court-martial.

“ART. 50. Any officer or soldier who shall, without urgent necessity, or without
the leave of his superior officer, quit his guard, platoon, or division, shall
be punished according to the nature of his offence, by the sentence of a
court-martial.”

92. There are instances where sentinels would seem almost justified in
leaving their posts, as when their own lives are endangered by remaining, and
there is no possibility of their affording the protection and guard for which
they were posted, as when a camp or fort is shelled from a distance. Under such
circumstances, if not relieved at once, call for the corporal of the guard.

93. When sentinels are required to remain at their posts at all hazards,
the soldier has no alternative except to die at his post if necessary. No
nobler death can fall to the lot of a soldier; whilst no greater ignominy can
befall him than to desert his post in time of danger, when the lives of others
are dependent upon the performance of his duty.

94. To be surprised, or to fall asleep, in times of danger, is a crime of
the gravest character, and punishable with death. Sometimes, when popular
violence is threatened, the courage and firmness of a single sentinel may
intimidate and keep back a mob, whilst timidity and doubt might encourage them.
True courage will defend the post to the last. No man can desire nobler death
than to die in the cause of right.

95. Soldiers should know, however, that they are held responsible for the
execution of their orders as well as their obedience; and they shall, therefore,
fully understand them. Ignorant and inexperienced officers sometimes give
illegal and unjustifiable orders, for which the officer who gives them, and the
soldier who obeys, may both be held responsible, either by military courts, or
civil tribunals if there are any.

96. Soldiers should bear in mind that no orders will protect them in the
commission of personal wrong. They stand upon the same footing as any officer
or citizen in civil life; and if a soldier, in the discharge of his orders,
shoots a person, he may be arraigned and tried, and is at the mercy of a
military court or jury, even when it is apparent that he will or should be
acquitted. These are trying circumstances, and, fortunately, of rare
occurrence; but even these should not deter a soldier from doing what he knows
and believes to be his duty.

97. Again, a sentinel, in the execution of his duty has frequently the
power to subject persons a great inconvenience and humiliation, who, from
inadvertence or misapprehension, have come under his control. Whilst he might
be sustained in the severity of his course, it is not contemplated that he shall
abuse his authority or misuse his temporary power.

98. STABLE GUARD.—In cavalry and artillery, this guard is usually placed
over the horses at night, to watch them and prevent any of them from making
their escape or injuring themselves. It consists usually of a non-commissioned
officer, and three men for each company or battery, and forms a separate detail.
(Reg. 562.)

99. They may be put on with or without arms; and, although the same
precision and attention as on camp guard are not required, they are equally
responsible with other guards with regard to sleeping on post, or leaving or
neglecting their duty in any way.

100. Neatness and correct soldierly bearing are enjoined on all
sentinels. Precision in the compliments to officers, and in marching on and off
duty, reflects credit upon the soldier, and secures to him the consideration and
attention of his superiors.

101. Orderlies and color-sentinels are usually selected from the neatest,
cleanest, and most soldierly looking members of the guard. These duties are of
a lighter and more complimentary character, and are the first steps to
promotion.

102. FATIGUE.—This term is applied to all duties not strictly military,
such as laboring in the trenches, making roads, forage, improving the grounds
about a post or camp, &c., and is usually performed without arms, except when,
in the vicinity of the enemy, it is necessary to guard against attack.

103. Fatigue parties are always under the direction of an officer or
non-commissioned officer, who is held responsible for the conduct of the men.

104. No soldier can leave his fatigue or working party, without
permission from his superior officer, until he is regularly relieved.

105. Usually, in established camps and garrisons, the guard which marches
off in the morning goes on fatigue the next morning, called “general police,”
for the purpose of sweeping and cleaning the common parade ground, the vicinity
of officers’ quarters, and other places not immediately occupied by companies or
detachments.

106. This detail, being consecutive with the guard, requires no other
notification except the order that such will be the practice. Absentees from
sickness and other causes are, therefore, not replaced, but must be accounted
for.

107. In cases of more than ordinary fatigue or exposure, it is the custom
to make an issue of whiskey to the men on fatigue. To obtain this issue, the
sergeant or corporal of police makes out a return, called an “extra return,”
giving the number of men and number of gills, one gill being allowed to each
man. This return is signed by the officer in charge of the party; and it is
then submitted to the commanding officer of the regiment, post, or detachment,
attaches his order for the issue, and the whiskey then drawn from the commissary
and issued to the men by the sergeant.

108. DAILY DUTY.—A soldier is on daily duty when is put upon some
continuous duty that excuses him from the ordinary company duty but does not
entitle him to additional pay from the government, such as company cooks,
tailors, clerks, standing orderlies, &c. These duties may be performed by
soldiers selected on account of special capacity or merit, or detailed in turn,
as is most convenient and conducive to the interest of the service.

109. The company cooks are one or more men in each company
detailed to do the cooking for the entire company. This is the case usually in
companies where it is not the custom to distribute the provisions to the men;
for in this case the messes furnish their own cooks, and they are not excused
from any duty except what is absolutely necessary and which their messmates can
do for them.

110. The law authorizes the detailing of one cook to thirty men, or less;
two cooks if there are more than thirty men in the company. It also allows to
each cook two assistant cooks (colored), who are enlisted for the purpose, and
are allowed ten dollars per month. (See Par. 269.)

111. The cooks are under the direction of the first sergeant or
commissary-sergeant, who superintends the issue of provisions and directs the
cooking for each day. Company cooks for the whole company are generally
detailed in turn, and for periods of a week or ten days.

112.Company tailors.—One or two tailors are usually detailed on
daily duty in each company to fit and repair clothing for the men of the
company. They are generally excused from such duties as materially interfere
with their work, and receive such compensation from the men as will remunerate
them for the materials they require and the extra work they may perform. This
is usually done under the direction of the commanding officer of the company,
under such regulations as he may establish.

113.Company clerks.—These are experienced penmen selected from
the companies to assist the first sergeants in making out their returns,
reports, muster-rolls, copying orders, &c. One to each company is generally
sufficient to do all the writing who are usually excused from such duties as the
necessities of the service will justify.

114.Orderlies are soldiers selected on account of their
intelligence, experience, and soldierly bearing, to attend on generals,
commanding officers, officers of the day, and staff officers, to carry orders,
mess &c. They may be taken from the guard or put on permanently while the duty
lasts: in the latter case they are reported on daily duty and are excused from
all other duty that would interfere with their duty as orderlies.

115. EXTRA DUTY.—Where soldiers are detailed in some continuous duty or
labor for ten days or labor, in the quartermaster, commissary, or some other
department, where they are entitled to additional pay, it is called “extra
duty.” They are generally employed in the quartermaster’s department as
mechanics, laborers, teamsters, &c., and are under the orders of, and paid by,
the department in which they are employed.

116. They are generally excused from all military duty, except Sunday
inspections, reviews, and musters, but may be required to attend drills when
their instruction is not complete. Extra duty pay has been discontinued by the
Act of March 3, 1863, sec. 35, but is still allowed in some cases, according to
a decision of the Third Auditor.

117. DETACHED SERVICE.—When soldiers are sent away from their companies,
under orders to do duty elsewhere, from the post, camp, or garrison, they are on
“detached service,” and are so accounted for. The first for guard are
detailed for detached service, and, if employed otherwise at the time, are
relieved, if possible, in time to reach the camp or post to march with the
detachment. This is intended only for short and frequent detachments. In cases
where the detachment is more or less permanent, it is not the custom to follow
these rules, but to be guided, in making the details, by the nature of the
service.

118. Where there is a possibility that the soldier may be detached for a
long period he should be accompanied by his descriptive roll and
clothing-account, in order that he may draw his pay, and such clothing is he may
need during his absence. This matter is sometimes overlooked by the officers,
and should be remembered by the soldier, as he is most affected by the neglect.

119. A soldier’s duties in the field are nothing more than the practical
application of the duties he has learned in camp or garrison to the purposes of
war. Troops are said to be “in the field” when they are operating
against the enemy, and are occupying temporarily the country, towns, cities, or
intrenchments in the vicinity of the foe, or permanently encamped in their
neighborhood. They are also said to be in the field when on the march through
the country in times of peace.

120. In the field there are, in addition to camp-guards and
police-guards, advanced guards, outposts, pickets, and reconnoissances. On
these guards the soldier’s duty has not so much detail about it: much of the
ceremony of camp-guard is omitted and modified to suit the circumstances; every
thing is made subservient to the all-important end,—watching the enemy. His
presence of mind, judgment, and courage on these duties are put to the greatest
test.

121. ADVANCED GUARDS are guards thrown out the front in the direction in
which the enemy is expected, to guard against attack or surprise. They may be
composed of details united from the brigades, forming a “division-guard,” and
covering the front of the division, uniting with the guards of the divisions on
the right and left; or “brigade-guards,” composed of details from the different
regiments of the brigade, and covering its front in the same manner.

122. The senior colonel or other officer of a “division-guard” is the
“general officer of the day;” of a “brigade-guard,” a field officer or senior
captain usually detailed as “field officer of the day.” These guards are
usually thrown some distance in the advance, sometimes several miles, and always
enough to give the troops time to form and prepare for battle before the enemy
can come upon them. If the guards are thrown out too far to be relieved daily,
they go on for several days at a time.

123. OUTPOSTS are isolated advanced guards of greater or less strength.
When composed of small detachments, they are called “picket-guards.”

124. RECONOISSANCES are made by troops against the enemy for the purpose
of finding out his position and strength. The term generally implies a strong
party. When the force is small, it is more generally called “reconnoitring” or
“scouting.”

125. The special duty of the soldier in advanced guards, outposts,
pickets, and reconnoissances, is that of “picket,” “skirmisher,”
and “flanker.”

126. PICKET.—This term is used differently, and has different meanings
in various works. It is used in our army to designate the advanced sentinels of
an “advanced guard.” Courage and common sense are the principal
requisites for a picket.

127. The instructions which he receives are generally plain and easily
understood: the only difficulty is to remember them at the critical moment.
Pickets are either infantry or cavalry, or both together. The term “vedette”
is frequently applied to cavalry pickets. The general rules for picket
should be well understood by every soldier.

128. “The duties of the pickets are to keep a vigilant watch over the
country in front, and over the movements of the enemy, if in sight, to prevent
all unauthorized persons from passing in or out of the lines, and to arrest all
suspicious individuals. In case of an attack, they will act as a line of
skirmishers, and hold their ground to the last moment. If forced to retire,
they will slowly close their intervals and fall back upon their supports.”
(General Order No. 69, Head-Quarters Army of Potomac, 1862). The following
Regulations are important:—

“620. The sentinels and vedettes are placed on points from which they can see
farthest, taking care not to break, their connection with each other or with
their posts. They are concealed from the enemy as much is possible by walls, or
trees, or elevated ground. It is generally even of more advantage not to be
seen than to see far. They should not be placed near covers, where the enemy
may capture them.

“621. A sentinel should always be ready to fire; vedettes carry their pistols or
carbines in their hands. A sentinel must be sure of the presence of an enemy
before he fires; once satisfied of that, he must fire, though all defence on his
part be useless, as the safety of the post may depend on it. Sentinels fire on
all persons deserting to the enemy.

“622. If the post must be where a sentinel on it cannot communicate with the
guard, a corporal and three men are detached for it, or the sentinels are
doubled, that one may communicate with the guard. During the day the
communication may be made by signals, such as raising a cap or handkerchief. At
night sentinels are placed on low ground, the better to see objects against the
sky.

“624. On the approach of any one at night, the sentinel orders—‘Halt!’
If the order is not obeyed after once repeated, he fires. If obeyed, he
calls—‘Who
goes there?’ If answered—‘Rounds’ or ‘Patrol,’
he says—‘Stand:
Advance one with the countersign!’ If more than one advance at the same
time, or the person who advances fails to give the countersign or signal agreed
on, the sentinel fires, and falls back on his guard. The sentinel over the
arms, as soon as his hail is answered, turns out the guard, and the corporal
goes to reconnoitre. When it is desirable to hide the position of the sentinel
from the enemy, the hail is replaced by signals; the sentinel gives the signal,
and those approaching the counter-signal.

“639. Bearers of flags are not permitted to pass the outer chain of sentinels;
their faces are turned from the post or army; if necessary, their eyes are
bandaged; a non-commissioned officer stays with them to prevent indiscretion of
the sentinels.

“640. The commandant of the grand guard receipts for dispatches, and sends them
to the field officer of the day or general of brigade, and dismisses the bearer;
but if he has discovered what ought to be concealed from the enemy, he is
detained as long as necessary.

“641. Deserters are disarmed at the advanced posts, and sent to the commander of
the grand guard, who gets from them all the information he can concerning his
post. If many come at night, they are received cautiously, a few at a time.
They are sent in the morning to the field officer of the day, or to the nearest
post or camp, to be conducted to the general of the brigade. All suspected
persons are searched by the commanders of the posts.”

129. Pickets should look out particularly for deserters; and parties
representing themselves as such should be required to lay down their arms before
they approach. A flag of truce should also be received with caution: it is
usually a white flag, borne by an officer and accompanied by an escort. The
flag is sometimes, particularly in the night, preceded by a trumpeter blowing
the parley.

130. The escort is halted at a distance, and no one is permitted to
advance except the bearer of the flag. If the bearer has only a letter to
deliver, it is taken and receipted for, and the bearer and his escort turned
back to their own lines. If it is necessary to take the bearer to the
commanding officer, his eyes are bandaged, and he is escorted thither.

131. Great precaution must be exercised with regard to parties passing
out, to see that they are authorized to go and that they are not deserters.
Soldiers frequently, from idle curiosity, or a spirit of adventure, or a desire
for plunder, may take advantage of a friend or messmate being on post, and seek
the indulgence of passing beyond the lines. Sentinels and soldiers should know
that this is exceedingly irregular, and may be fraught with terrible
consequences. No personal considerations should influence a soldier to so
serious a neglect of his duty.

132. All sentinels of advanced guards should receive the countersign
before sunset, and, whether this is neglected or not, they should commence
challenging immediately after. Compliments are dispensed with on picket-duty.

133. The practice of pickets firing upon those of the enemy is barbarous;
and retaliation is scarcely a sufficient excuse for doing it. Pickets should
not fire unless an advance is intended, or in the cases heretofore indicated.

134. Firing on pickets has a tendency to produce false alarms, or its
habitual practice may create indifference, and thus an actual attack pass
unobserved until a decided advantage is gained by the enemy.

135. The habit of pickets communicating with those of the enemy is
irregular, and should not be indulged in, unless sometimes by the officers for
some specific object.

136. SKIRMISHERS are soldiers thrown forward and deployed at intervals of
from ten to twenty paces, according to the point they are to cover; if a column
on the march, or a line of battle advancing to attack, to conceal the movements
or to give timely notice of the enemy. They may be either infantry or cavalry.

137. On the march, the column usually proceeds on the road, preceded by
an advanced guard proportioned to the strength of the column,—usually about
one-tenth of the whole force. From this the skirmishers are taken, one-third
being retained for a reserve; the remainder are deployed as skirmishers on the
right and left of the road, and from one hundred and fifty to three hundred
yards in advance of the reserve, which itself is about four hundred yards in
advance of the head of the column.

138. A non-commissioned officer, with two or three men, march on the
road, and the skirmishers, on the right and left of the road, regulate their
march on them. In this manner the march is conducted under the direction of the
commanding officer of the advance, who has his instructions from the commander
of the column.

139. The skirmishers should endeavor not to advance beyond or fall in
rear of the line, should keep their proper intervals, and be guided by the
centre of the line.

140. Skirmishers should use their eyes and ears. They are the feelers
with which the army searches its way into the enemy’s country; and every
suspicious or important circumstance should be reported at once to their
immediate superiors. No one should be allowed to escape from their approach who
might give information to the enemy; and all suspicious characters should be
arrested and sent to the rear.

141. When skirmishers precede a line of battle preliminary to an attack,
they advance and engage the enemy, unless otherwise instructed; and when the
line arrives within range of the enemy, they are usually recalled, and form in
the rear of the command to which they belong.

142. FLANKERS are skirmishers placed on the flanks of an advancing
column, three or four hundred yards distant, extending from the extremities of
the line of skirmishers to the rear of the column, and parallel to it. They
march in file, with intervals of ten to twenty paces.

143. Their duty is to guard against an attack from the flank, and to give
notice of the approach of an enemy in that direction. Their duties are entirely
similar to those of skirmishers; and when forced to retire, they fall back
fighting and form on their reserves or supports that are marching inside of them
in the direction of the column.

144. IN the infantry is the main strength of an army. Cavalry and
artillery are the auxiliaries. The final results of a war or campaign are
achieved by this arm of the service; and the foot-soldier should bear in mind
the importance of his position, and seek to achieve the highest perfection of
his arm. No cavalry or artillery can stand against perfect infantry properly
handled.

145. The sharpshooters, deployed as skirmishers, and supported by the
main column of infantry, out of range, will pick off the cannoneers, and silence
in a short time a battery of artillery; and the best cavalry will disperse
before a firm line of infantry that reserves its fire until the enemy is within
short range, and shows a determination to receive them on the bayonets of their
empty muskets.

146. The infantry soldier should bear in mind that, with whatever
exultation the cavalry or artillery pass him in advancing upon the enemy, the
grand result cannot be achieved without him, and that the presence of the musket
and its proximity is what enables them to precede him in the fight.

147. A well-instructed and disciplined infantry-man is always prepared
for duty. His hours of leisure are devoted to preparation. His clothing is
prepared and cleaned, his knapsack always packed, his arms and accoutrements are
in order, and his ammunition secure.

148. The supply of necessary articles in the field should be limited to
the smallest possible amount; and industry will make up for many a deficient
article. Messes unite, and each carries an article that can be used in common.

149. By repeated washings and cleanings, one suit of clothes can be made
to look as well as if a change were on hand. For fatigue-duties, thin cotton
overalls and blouse worn over the only suit will protect it and make it last
much longer, and are much lighter than an extra suit.

150. The shoes are the most important item of clothing to the
foot-soldier. The army bootee is much the best. The soles should be broad, the
heels low and broad. Woollen socks should be worn. The feet should be bathed
frequently in cold water. Boots are universally impracticable for marching. If
the ankles require support, the French gaiter can be worn: they are also a very
good protection from mud and dust, and protect the trousers.

151. An hour’s drill, morning and afternoon, when not marching, is a
necessary exercise, no matter may be the proficiency of the regiment or
company. It keeps the body in condition for service at any moment, and is
conducive to health.

152. A good soldier makes his company and regiment his home, and never
absents himself without proper permission, and then returns punctually at the
expiration of his pass. The habit of always being absent is exceedingly
pernicious; it cultivates tastes and habits that are detrimental to the
soldier’s best interests, and he is almost sure to be absent when most wanted,
and loses, perhaps, a favorable moment to do himself a credit.

153. He should learn to wait: a soldier’s life is made up in waiting for
the critical moments. The times for distinction are few, and quickly pass; and,
once gone, he has a long time to wait for the next opportunity. Constant
training and faithful watching are necessary, so that he may see the proper
moment and be in the best possible condition to perform his duty.

154. A soldier is dependent on his officers for pay, clothing,
subsistence, and medical attendance; but his health, success, and promotion
depend, in the main, upon himself. Within certain limits, he must look out for
himself.

155. He must learn to make the most of his pay and allowances. His
rations are abundant for his subsistence, and, if not always palatable, a little
ingenuity in cooking, an little management in exchanging for the products of the
country, will make his rations do him; whilst spending his pay for things to
eat, and disregarding his rations, is a want of frugality that should be
corrected.

156. His clothing is also sufficient; and many soldiers save from sixty
to one hundred dollars of their clothing allowance, which is paid to them in
money at the expiration of their enlistment. A little industry in mending and
cleaning his clothes will well reward his labors in the savings of the frugal
soldier. To this end, he should be provided with a little wallet, containing an
assortment of thread, needles, buttons, scissors, &c., and should economize and
use up faithfully his allowance of soap.

157. He can readily save all his pay, and make his spending-money by
labor during leisure hours in many ways which are afforded him in the vicinity
of a camp or garrison. The effort, however, to lay up money should not be
carried to an extent that would interfere with his duties as a soldier.

158. THE cavalry soldier is apt to look with some contempt as he rides by
the weary footman carrying his knapsack; but he should bear in mind how much he
is dependent upon him, and how much of the confidence with which he rides to the
front is due to the staunch columns of infantry he leaves in his rear, and how
soon he may be compelled to seek refuge from the enemy’s sharpshooters and
artillery in the rear of the same columns of infantry.

159. A cavalry soldier should not exceed in weight one hundred and sixty
pounds, should be active and strong, physically sound, with a natural fondness
for horses and experience in handling them. His duties are more arduous and
severe than those of the footman. His first care should be his horse at all
times. The two are inseparable, and one is of little account without the
other. A dismounted cavalry soldier, leading a broken-down horse and trudging
wearily along in the rear of the column, is a pitiable and ridiculous sight;
whilst the perfect cavalry soldier, neatly dressed, arms and accoutrements in
perfect order, his horse well fed and thoroughly groomed, and riding with ease,
grace, and self-possession, is always an object of admiration.

160. The general duties of the cavalry soldier are the same as those of
the infantry soldier, varying only on account of his horse and the difference in
the character of the service.

161. Great care and attention are necessary to keep the horse in
condition for service. The following hints are offered:—

The horse should always be used moderately, having much additional weight to
carry. The habitual gait of cavalry is a walk, and it should not be increased,
unless necessary or acting under orders.

162. Horses should never be watered or fed when heated, nor should they
be used violently immediately after watering or feeding. Heating food, such as
corn or wheat, should not be fed in large quantities at a time, but divided into
two or more feeds; and this is particularly necessary when hay or grass is
scarce. They should be fed salt two or three times a week.

163. The horse should be carefully groomed. When heated, in cold or
chilly weather, particularly in the open air, if required to stand still, he
should have a blanket thrown over him until he is cool; nor should he be washed
or drenched with water, except when cool. If covered with mud, it is better to
let it remain until the horse is dry, and then let him be groomed as soon as he
is dry: it should not be permitted to remain any longer than necessary. If the
mud is rubbed off when wet, it causes the sand to be rubbed into the skin, and
is much more difficult to remove afterwards.

164. The back should always be examined after riding. Any evidence of
soreness should be arrested by a judicious folding of blanket and care in
adjusting the saddle, by shortening or lengthening the crupper. Any swelling or
scalding from the saddle should be frequently washed in cold water, to check
inflammation.

165. When halting on the march, horses have a disposition to roll, that
frequently injures the saddle and accoutrements. This may be in a great measure
prevented by removing the saddle and rubbing the horse’s back with currycomb,
brush, or a whisp of straw or twigs. During such halts, every opportunity to
let the horse graze a little, or feeding him on a handful of hay or grass, or
other feed, gathered by the way, should not be neglected: the horse’s stomach is
small in proportion to his size, and such care of him will keep him in good
condition where without it he would break down.

166. When a horse gets sick, the veterinary surgeon should at once be
consulted. Soldiers are not permitted to prescribe for their horses without
permission from their company commanders.

167. The horse has been found to be demoralizing to the habits of the
soldier. The cavalry service removes the cavalry-man more from the immediate
control of his officers; he is enabled soon to become more familiar with the
surrounding country, on his duties as messenger, orderly, foraging,
reconnoitring, picket and outpost duty, his temptations to straggle and commit
depredations are much greater, the chances of detection are less, and the
violation of orders is attended with much less personal fatigue and
inconvenience; and hence the irregularities peculiar to the cavalry service.

168. Cavalrymen, however, should bear in mind that these facilities are
no excuse for misdemeanors of irregularities; and every soldier should have the
interest of his own corps too much at heart to aid or abet in misconduct that
gives to his arm of service such a disagreeable notoriety. He should labor to
give his own corps as high a reputation for good conduct as the foot-soldier He
should not allow himself to be excelled in propriety by the infantry-man.

169. The arms and accoutrements of cavalry, being more numerous and
subject to more wear and tear, require more labor and attention than those of
infantry, but should not for that reason be any more neglected. This care is
equally important, and the beneficial results of cleanliness and order are quite
as satisfactory, as in any other arm.

170. Every article that is issued to the man has its use and importance.
The articles should be frequently overhauled, and kept in repair. The sabre
should be kept sharp, the arms clean and in order, the ammunition close and
compact, to prevent rubbing, and secure against moisture. The straps should be
kept repaired, well cleaned and oiled. The nose-bag and lariat-rope are not
sufficiently appreciated. The health of the horse is dependent upon his being
taught to eat his feed from he nose-bag, as feeding from the ground causes the
horse to take up with his food great quantities of gravel and sand, thereby
injuring his digestion. The lariat-rope is important for the purpose of
forage—either for the transportation of forage, or picketing the horse out at
night to enable him to graze, the opportunity for which should never be
neglected.

171. An important article is a forage-bag, made like a saddle-bag with a
slit in it. It should be at least a yard long and a foot wide, in which to
carry one or two feeds, so that accident or delay will not deprive the horse of
his regular feed. It can be readily made by any soldier out of an ordinary
grain-sack.

173. ARTILLERY PROPER, sometimes called FOOT ARTILLERY, or FIELD
ARTILLERY, is divided into batteries, manned by one company, and provided with
four, six, or eight guns, according to the strength of the company.

174. The battery is divided into sections, two pieces making a section,
commanded by the lieutenants, or, in their absence, by the ranking sergeants.
The sergeants are usually assigned to the different guns, and are called Chiefs
of Piece. The gunners are usually taken from the corporals.

175. The men, except the drivers and chiefs of piece, are dismounted, and
ride on the caissons and limbers, or march in order by the side of the
carriages. They are sometimes armed with pistols or cutlasses, or both.

176. LIGHT ARTILLERY, sometimes called HORSE ARTILLERY, is similar to
foot artillery, except that all the men are mounted, thus uniting the duties of
cavalry with artillery.

177. HEAVY ARTILLERY is generally used for garrisoning forts and
entrenched places, where the armament is composed of guns of greater caliber
than field-pieces. In the field, they generally have charge of the
siege-train. The troops are usually armed, equipped, and drilled as infantry,
in addition to their duties with the large guns.

178. The artillery soldier is expected to be more or less familiar with
all the duties expected of cavalry and infantry, as in field-batteries they have
a similar care of horses, and in heavy artillery they are required to perform
all the duties required of infantry, at times. He is required to know all about
guard-duties. They are not, however, required to do as much outpost, fatigue,
or picket duty, and only in the absence of the proper troops for such duty.